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THE FIRST TEE® OF GREATER HOUSTON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

THE FIRST TEE® OF GREATER HOUSTON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND IMPACT ON LOCAL YOUTH

Houston Golf Association fuels program’s growth and impact for the City of Houston

HOUSTON (November 14, 2017) –The First Tee of Greater Houston, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach children core values, wellness and life skills through the game of golf, was recognized with several prestigious awards at the annual meeting of The First Tee Network. The local chapter took home the following national awards:

Chapter Volunteer Engagement Award – The award recognizes a chapter that is leading the way using innovative techniques to recruit, reward, and retain their volunteers.

The Outreach Impact Award – This award recognizes creativity, partnerships and collaborative relationships with school districts and the local community and the extent to which young people have benefited with opportunities to learn and grow through this great life sport as uniquely presented by The First Tee.

McGlothlin Award – This award is presented to chapters who are significantly impacting their communities for the better through their fulfillment of The First Tee mission. The chapters represent small, medium and large service areas as determined by youth population size.

Members of The First Tee of Greater Houston team also received individual accolades. Doug Earle, executive director, Brian Ladet, program director and coaches Betsy Harris and Patrick Kisomanga were all honored for their commitment and leadership to growing the program and mentoring youth.

Since 2004, the Houston Golf Association has held the charter for The First Tee of Greater Houston, now the largest of 155 chapters in the worldwide network. Specially trained and passionate coaches, supported by volunteers, guide participants through the The First Tee curriculum helping youth ages 7-18 reach their fullest potential at home, in school and at competitive golf. Programs take place onsite at schools, as well as ten local area golf courses.

“On behalf of the entire team here in Houston, we are humbled by these awards in doing our life’s passion to make a difference in the lives of youth through a game we all love,” said Doug Earle, executive director of the First Tee of Greater Houston. “What excites us is that our impact on local youth continues to grow significantly. By teaching young people wellness and character development through the game of golf, we are giving them skills that will last a lifetime.”

The program has flourished due to significant donations from Houston’s PGA TOUR event the Houston Open. Since 1946, the Houston Open, alongside volunteers, has been able to raise $69 million for local organizations—many of which benefit youth programs like The First Tee.

About Houston Golf Association

Founded in 1946, Houston Golf Association and its member volunteers make a difference for Houston communities and their youth through golf, outreach programs, events and fundraising. A not-for-profit, tax exempt 501c (3) organization, Houston Golf Association is host organization to the 10th longest running PGA TOUR event on schedule, the Houston Open, which has played a crucial role in raising more than $69 million for local charities.

Delivering on its promise to make golf accessible to all, Houston Golf Association operates HGA Junior Golf, hosts amateur golf events, works with the City to restore municipal golf courses and amenities, and holds the charter for The First Tee of Greater Houston providing 350,000 local youth with learning facilities and educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Go to www.hga.org to learn more or get involved.

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The First Tee’s Reach

Our chapter is one of many in The First Tee network. The First Tee is reaching young people in all 50 states and select international locations on golf courses, in elementary schools and through other youth-serving organizations.